After finally having an opportunity to showcase his basketball ability at Indiana State University, the Edmontonian helped the Canadian men’s basketball team finish fourth at Universiade 2013 (the Summer World University Games) in Kazan, Russia.

On Tuesday (July 16), Canada lost to Serbia 87-74 in the bronze medal game. Canada stormed through the preliminary round of the tournament, posting victories over perennial powerhouses United States and Australia en route to finishing first in their pool with a perfect 5-0 record. After defeating Brazil in the quarterfinals, they lost to the host Russians in the semi-finals.

“This is a very tight-knit group … that works really hard and plays well together, the 22-year-old Arop said when reached in Kazan last week.

A sprained ankle forced Arop to miss a pair of games in the preliminary round, but the former Ross Sheppard student returned to action in the quarterfinals. His highlight performance came against United Arab Emirates on July 8, when he scored 14 points off perfect 5/5 field-goal shooting, and added six rebounds and 3 assists in a blowout victory for Canada.

Universiade is the largest multi-sport event Arop has been part of, though he has represented Canada at several international events, including the 2009 World U19 Championship appearances.

“They’re all just fun,” said Arop. “It’s hard to pick which is the best one. This one hasn’t finished yet, so I think I’ll have a better feel when it’s all said and done.”

Arop spent his first two years of college at Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash., but had limited opportunities with its powerhouse basketball team. He played 59 games with the Bulldogs over the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, averaging just 13.7 minutes per game.

In 2011, Arop transferred to ISU, alma matter of NBA legend Larry Bird. Per NCAA rules, Arop had to sit out the 2011-12 season as a redshirt, before he could debut with the Sycamores last year.

Receiving more than double the playing time he had at Gonzaga, Arop led ISU in rebounds per game ( 5.1), while ranking second in both scoring average (12.0 points) and second in free-throw percentage (.796). He also paced the team in field goals made and defensive rebounds.

“It was good for me to find a place where I was able to play my game and ride that momentum,” Arop said.“The biggest thing was just getting an opportunity to work on things that I need to improve. The year I sat out to get ready was a great year, and then it was a great year when I started playing.”

The Sycamores had a reasonably successful season, qualifying for the NIT tournament, where they were eliminated in the first round. With 2013-14 being his senior season, Arop wants to go out by reaching the NCAA tournament and experiencing March Madness with the Sycamores.

“I didn’t necessarily accomplish all the things I need to accomplish, but it left me a little hungry, so when I return back to school I feel I still have much to (contribute) there.”